02.07.2026 13:00
The weekly press briefing of the Ministry of National Defense was held for the first time at the Crescent Star Joint Headquarters, which will unify the Turkish Armed Forces command echelon under a single roof. In response to MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli's call for reopening military hospitals, sources stated, "In line with the directives of our President, efforts continue to update the military health system to best meet the needs of the Turkish Armed Forces."
The first weekly press briefing of the Ministry of National Defense was held at the Ay Yıldız Joint Headquarters, which will consolidate the command echelon of the Turkish Armed Forces under one roof. Rear Admiral Zeki Aktürk, Press and Public Relations Advisor of the Ministry of National Defense, made statements on the agenda and answered questions.
TSK TO BE GATHERED UNDER ONE ROOF
Aktürk stated that the Ay Yıldız Joint Headquarters, where the meeting was held, will bring together the Ministry of National Defense, the General Staff, and the Land, Naval, and Air Forces Commands under one roof.
Rear Admiral Aktürk said, "With the Ay Yıldız Joint Headquarters Project, our Ministry, General Staff, and Land, Naval, and Air Forces Commands are brought together in the same campus to further strengthen the joint operations concept."
Aktürk, noting that the campus was designed inspired by the crescent-and-star red flag, said, "With its unique architecture, smart building concept, environmentally friendly structure, and advanced technology infrastructure, it is being built to meet the current and future needs of our Turkish Armed Forces at the highest level. Equipped with the most advanced technologies, from cybersecurity to ballistic protection, from measures against CBRN threats to advanced engineering solutions, the project will become one of the world's exemplary military headquarters thanks to security measures supported by the Steel Dome concept."
Emphasizing that the headquarters will serve as a strategic center in line with the vision of the Century of Turkey, Aktürk announced that a reception will be held at this headquarters for guest defense ministers and senior NATO representatives during the NATO Heads of State and Government Summit to be held in Ankara on July 7-8.
"NATO SUMMIT WILL BE A TURNING POINT"
Highlighting the importance of the NATO Summit to be held in Ankara, Aktürk said, "The NATO Summit in our country will confirm the Alliance's unwavering commitment to collective defense, strengthen its adaptation to the changing security environment and the common deterrent understanding, and shape its future strategic direction. It will also once again reveal our country's position in the international security architecture and its strategic role within the Alliance."
Aktürk stated that the summit will be an important turning point where a common approach to NATO's future will be shaped, and added that they expect the Defense Industry Forum to be held within the summit to contribute to defense investments and transatlantic defense industry cooperation.
Aktürk reported that Turkey has transferred the NATO Amphibious Task Force and Landing Force Command, which it successfully conducted for one year within the scope of the NATO Response Force, to the Netherlands, and the Air Element Command to France.
He noted that mutual military delegation visits continue within the scope of the Turkey-Greece Confidence-Building Measures Implementation Plan.
REACTION TO ISRAEL'S AGGRESSION IN THE REGION
Evaluating developments in the Middle East, Aktürk stated that Israel continues its attacks in the region and said, "Israel, which is the biggest obstacle to the establishment of lasting peace and stability in the region, continues its attacks despite the agreement reached with Lebanon, and also carries out attacks in Quneitra and Daraa that disregard Syria's sovereignty and the life and property security of its people."
Aktürk also criticized Israel's decisions regarding the events of 1915, saying, "The Israeli government, which is being prosecuted for committing genocide at the International Court of Justice, and its leaders, who have been issued arrest warrants by the International Criminal Court, have adopted a political decision regarding the events of 1915 that is nothing but an attempt to cover up their crimes."
Regarding the negotiations between the USA and Iran, he stated that it is important for regional peace that the parties act with prudence and responsibility.
7 TERRORISTS SURRENDERED IN ONE WEEK
Aktürk provided information on the counter-terrorism activities of the Turkish Armed Forces, stating that 7 PKK terrorists surrendered in the last week, and that the detection and destruction of caves, shelters, and improvised explosive devices continue in operation areas.
Regarding border security, Aktürk stated that 331 people, including 4 members of terrorist organizations, were caught trying to cross illegally in the last week, while 844 people were prevented from crossing the border. He noted that the number of people caught since the beginning of the year has reached 5,299, and the number of people prevented has reached 40,134.
Aktürk also reported that 513 kilograms of drugs were seized during search and scanning activities on the Hakkari border line, and extended condolences for two soldiers who were martyred in the Euphrates Shield and Claw-Lock regions.
"ISRAEL HARMS SYRIA'S TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY"
Ministry of National Defense sources answered journalists' questions after the weekly press briefing.
When reminded of Israel's recent attacks on Syria, the sources stated that the attacks harm Syria's territorial integrity, stability, and security.
The sources said, "The attacks carried out by Israel on Syria harm Syria's territorial integrity, stability, and security. We state that Israel must immediately cease its attacks aimed at escalating the existing tension in the region."
The sources emphasized that the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF), whose mandate was extended for another six months as of June 29, 2026, must also fulfill its duty, and stated, "We invite UNDOF to do its duty and take necessary measures in the face of these attacks by Israel that violate legal rules."
RESPONSE TO BAHÇELİ'S CALL ON MILITARY HOSPITALS
Responding to a question about military hospitals following MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli's call for "military hospitals to be reopened," the sources reported that work continues in line with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's instructions.
The sources stated, "In line with the directives given by our President, work continues to update the military health system to best meet the needs of the Turkish Armed Forces."